What is a Mantle in the Bible? The mantle is referenced numerous times throughout the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. At its core, the mantle represents authority, power, and responsibility. In the Old Testament, the mantle was often a literal garment that signified one’s authority or calling from God. For instance, the prophet Elijah wore a mantle that he eventually passed on to his successor Elisha (1 Kings 19:13,19). This symbolized the transfer of prophetic authority from Elijah to Elisha. Similarly, Jonathan gave David his royal robe, armor, and weapons as a symbolic gesture that he was…
Author: Aaron Chin
Deconstructionism is a philosophical and literary movement that gained popularity in the late 20th century. In biblical studies, deconstructionism seeks to “deconstruct” the meaning of biblical texts by questioning traditional interpretations. Adherents of deconstructionism argue that the Bible should not be treated as an authoritative source of truth. Rather, the Bible is a literary work that can be analyzed and interpreted in various ways. So is deconstructionism a valid method for interpreting the Bible from a Christian perspective? Let’s explore what the Bible itself has to say. What is Deconstructionism? Deconstructionism is an approach to textual analysis that aims to…
Hilary of Poitiers was a prominent 4th-century bishop and theologian who played a significant role in the development of Trinitarian theology. He lived in France during the height of the Arian controversy, a major theological debate in the early church over the divinity of Jesus Christ. Here’s an overview of Hilary’s life and significance: Background Hilary was born around 300 A.D. in Poitiers, France to pagan parents. He married and had a daughter, and pursued a career as a rhetorician. In his studies, Hilary encountered the Christian scriptures and was so moved by them that he converted to Christianity around…
The two-source hypothesis is an attempt to explain the literary relationship between the Gospel of Matthew, the Gospel of Luke, and the Gospel of Mark in the New Testament. It proposes that Matthew and Luke independently used two different sources in addition to the Gospel of Mark when writing their gospels: The Gospel of Mark A hypothetical sayings source called Q (from the German Quelle meaning “source”) According to this theory, the Gospel of Mark was the first gospel to be written. The authors of Matthew and Luke then independently used Mark as one of their sources when composing their…
Secular humanism is a worldview and philosophy that centers around human reason, ethics, and justice while rejecting religious dogma, supernaturalism, and superstition. According to the Bible, secular humanism runs contrary to God’s commands and biblical principles in a number of ways. Secular Humanism Rejects Biblical Truths A core tenet of secular humanism is disbelief in the supernatural and reliance on science, reason and experience to guide ethical decision making. This directly contradicts biblical teachings that point to God as the source of absolute truth and morals. The Bible makes clear that truth comes from God, not human understanding (Proverbs 1:7,…
The “insider movement” refers to a controversial approach to Christian missions where believers remain culturally integrated within their non-Christian community, including continuing to identify with and practice many customs of their pre-Christian faith after conversion. The goal is to allow new converts to follow Jesus within the socioreligious framework of their birth religion rather than forming distinctly new Christian communities. Insider movements have been especially associated with evangelistic work among Muslims. Advocates of insider movements believe this approach allows the Gospel to spread more rapidly and avoids unnecessary cultural barriers that hinder the growth of Christianity. They argue the early…
The Bible does not give an exact age for when children should be baptized or allowed to take communion, but it does provide some principles that can guide parents and church leaders in making this decision. Understanding Baptism In the Bible, baptism is closely tied to conversion, repentance and faith. When Jesus gave the Great Commission, he commanded his followers to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). Peter exhorted the crowds at Pentecost, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in…
Trust is a major theme throughout the Bible. God desires for us to fully trust in Him and His promises. Here is an overview of some key Bible verses and passages about trusting God: Trusting in God’s Sovereignty and Control Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” God is sovereign over all things and we can trust His perfect plan and timing in our lives. Psalm 37:3-7 calls us to “Trust in the Lord,…
How can I know if I am one of the elect? The question of whether or not one is among the elect of God is an important one for many Christians. The doctrine of election teaches that before the foundation of the world, God chose certain individuals to be saved and conformed to the image of Christ (Ephesians 1:4-6). This choice was not based on any foreseen faith or works, but was based solely on God’s sovereign will and grace. “So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy” (Romans 9:16). While the…
Marriage is a sacred union ordained by God between one man and one woman. It is meant to be a lifelong commitment based on unconditional love, trust and faithfulness. However, in today’s world, the meaning and purpose of marriage is often questioned and challenged. The Bible clearly defines marriage and outlines God’s design for this covenant relationship. According to Scripture, marriage was instituted by God at creation when He brought Adam and Eve together (Genesis 2:18-24). It serves several important purposes including intimacy, companionship, mutual support, procreation and reflecting Christ’s relationship with the church (Ephesians 5:22-33). Marriage is still relevant…